Benefits of Massage

Massage has a huge number of benefits to all the systems of the body. By massaging and relaxing the muscles there is a domino effect to all the other systems of the body. We also bring about a relaxation that brings the body into homeostasis, a place of balance where the body can repair and renew.

The Muscular System

The muscles are the most obvious part of the body to benefit from massage. Muscles are made up of fibres that slide over each other (the sliding filament theory) to contract (shorten and fatten) and pull on the bone the muscle is attached to, to create movement. Muscles can contract to 50% of their normal length and stretch to 150% of their normal length.

Through over use and also through stress (due to the fight and flight response) the muscles can stay in a contracted state, causing imbalance in the body. Tight muscles will pull posture out of alignment and can constrict blood flow.

I talk about the benefits on muscles as the three ‘t’s: releasing tightness, tension and toxins.

Massaging Muscles will:

1) Increase flexibility by stretching and relaxing the muscle and encouraging it to return back to its’ normal relaxed length.

2) Remove waste products. When muscles work, they burn oxygen and glucose and produce lactic acid. This can build up in the muscles and add to muscle soreness. Think of it as sticky honey getting in between the muscle fibres.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

3) Reduce the formation of adhesions. Through overuse and wear and tear, microscopic tears occur in the muscle fibres. These if not treated will be replaced by inelastic, scar tissue which is very inflexible. We can work into muscles to reduce their formation.

4) Improve muscle tone. Healthy muscles are in a constant state of contraction and relaxation, invisible and we are unable to feel it. In someone who is inactive, bed ridden or paralyzed, they will have poor or no muscle tone. Massage can improve the tone of the muscles of the inactive.

5) Reduce cramps. We can increase the flexibility and tone of the muscle and reduce waste products within the muscle, which may reduce cramps. We can also massage the muscle with care during a cramp to reduce the duration of it.

The Skeletal System

1) Improves posture. Once the muscles are relaxed and lengthened, posture will improve. Poor posture will impact on the other systems of the body. For example rounded shoulders and tight pectorals and a slumped posture will prevent the lungs from expanding fully.

2) Improves mobility. In some one with a poor range of movement within their joints, massage and passive movements can ease the joint and improve the range of movement. This is due to a warming up of the synovial fluid within the joint making it more fluid and less viscous. Movement causes a release of fresh synovial fluid into the joint, where the joint may have been quite dry, causing friction and pain.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

3) Release of red blood cells from the bone marrow. An indirect result of massage is to cause a release of red blood cells from bone marrow, which can only enhance health and energy as they carry life giving oxygen.

4) Increases circulation of blood to the bones.

The Cardio-vascular System

1) Massage encourages blood flow to the extremities, organs and superficial blood vessels. We have enough capillaries in our body if lined up end to end to go around the world not once but twice!! Yet we only have 5-6 litres of blood. Whenever possible therefore, we apply firm effleurage to push blood into superficial capillaries. This is often noticeable on the skin where particularly on white skin a redness may be seen.

2) Improves the venous return. Blood has to work against gravity to return from the extremities back to the heart. Whenever possible, particularly on the limbs, we massage towards the heart to assist the return of venous blood. (blood carried in the veins).

3) Lowers blood pressure. By massaging we can have two positive effects on blood pressure. Firstly we help the client relax and their heart rate (number of times the heart beats in a minute), decreases. As blood pressure is measured by gauging the pressure exerted on the artery wall, each time blood passes through the artery, fewer beats per minute will automatically reduce blood pressure.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

Secondly, tight muscles create a resistance to blood flow, (known as peripheral resistance), which leads to an increase in blood pressure. I liken this to a garden hose where the tap is switched on, but someone puts their foot on the watering end. Eventually, such pressure will build up at the tap end, that the hose may fly off the tap. Tight muscles are very difficult for blood to flow through and pressure builds up back at the heart. Relaxed muscles will therefore reduce blood pressure.

The Respiratory System

1) Encourages deep breathing. When people are stressed they breathe rapidly and shallowly, not inspiring enough life giving oxygen and not breathing out enough carbon dioxide, which can make the blood acidic. Massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which slows and deepens breathing. Improved posture will also make breathing deeper.

2) Stimulates the intercostal muscles. The intercostal muscles attached to the ribs when contracted, pull on the ribs, which expand the lungs to cause inspiration. We can improve the condition and tone of these muscles.

3) Improves gaseous exchange. In the lungs and at cellular level throughout the body, there is an exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide. This will be stimulated by massage.

The Lymphatic System

1) Massage assists with the drainage of lymph from the cells to the lymph nodes. It improves the circulation of lymph and the removal of toxins from the cells.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

2) Boosts immunity. Massage stimulates the production of lymphocytes (antibodies) which give us immunity. Also by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, immunity is stimulated.

3) Reduces oedema (swelling). A pooling of lymph due for example to injury or inactivity, can be reduced by careful effleurage towards the lymph nodes.

The Nervous System

During early foetal development, we are simply a ball of cells that separate into three layers, called the zygote. The outer layer the Ectoderm will develop to become the appendages, skin and nervous system. It is therefore no surprise that massage and touching the skin has such a powerful effect on our psyche and mental well being.

1) Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. This has the effect of slowing down the systems of the body, (except digestion) and encouraging the body to repair and renew. It also switches on immunity.

2) Creates in-nervation. By squeezing into muscles we may impede the nerve message to the muscle for a fraction of a second. If the message is saying “be tight”, we may break this message and cause the muscle to relax.

3) Improves transmission of nerve impulses. The overall stimulating effect of massage will stimulate the neurons, (nerve cells), improving the efficiency of the transmission of messages.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

4) Pain control. We have different nerve receptors to take different messages back to the brain. Some of these messages travel quicker than others. Pleasurable messages travel quicker than painful ones. We can therefore mask pain by giving a pleasurable massage. This phenomenon is known as the pain gate control theory. Heat works in a similar way. If people are unwell and in pain they may not sleep well. By reducing their pain for a while, we may improve the quality of their sleep, which will have a positive impact on their health.

5) Psychologically:

- Massage gives us a feeling of well being. Research has shown that babies who are not given loving touch may wither and even die.

- It allows us to switch off, unwind and be at peace for a while.

- Stilling the body and calming the mind allows us to get in touch with our spiritual side.

The Endocrine System

1) By balancing the body, and bringing it back to a state of homeostasis, the release of hormones may become more balanced.

2) Relaxation and massage counteracts the negative effects of adrenaline, the hormone released to cause the fight and flight response.

3) Production of endorphins. The body’s natural opiates, to give us a high feeling.

4) Production of oxytocin, which is associated with breast feeding mothers, but is actually released by everyone and gives us a nurturing and loving feeling. It will be released by the massage therapist as well as the recipient of the massage.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

The Reproductive System

1) Balances the release of reproductive hormones.

2) Relaxes people and has a role in enhancing love making, fertility etc.

The Urinary System

1) Improves elimination of urine.

The Digestive System

1) Due to the stress response, our digestion systems can be upset or switched off. Massage will stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system to switch digestion back on.

2) The mechanical action of massage conducted in a clockwise direction will stimulate and assist the process of digestion and peristalsis. (The muscular squeezing of food along the intestines, by the intestinal walls.)

3) Massage speeds up the elimination of waste products from the body, reducing their toxicity and alleviating constipation.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

The Skin

1) Massage increases the blood supply, which carries nutrients to the skin and may be seen as a redness (erythema).

2) Massage can have an exfoliating effect and removes dead skin cells.

3) The skin will be fed with the nutrients in the oils. The oil goes directly into the blood stream and feeds all the organs of the body.

4) Improves the condition of the skin.

5) Can reduce cellulite with diet and exercise.

6) Improves the elasticity of the skin, particularly scarred skin.

Overall, massage gives the client a better body awareness, the first key to taking greater responsibility for their health and well being.

Essentials for Health

Essentials for Health, School of Massage, Aromatherapy and Sports Massage based in Central London, was established in 1992 and is now one of the most reputable and innovative schools in the U.K.

The School offers an exceptionally high standard of tuition designed to equip the aspiring Therapist with a broad range of skills. They hold a broad range of courses including professional diplomas in Holistic Massage, Aromatherapy and Sports Massage; Infant Massage Instructors Certificate and a variety of Masterclasses for qualified therapists.